Wall plate anchors, and methods of using same

ABSTRACT

An L-shaped wall plate anchor to secure a wall frame bottom plate in place in preparation to raising a wall relative to a floor. The wall plate anchor is provided with apertures adapted to accommodate standard wall thicknesses of, for example, 3 ½ inch or 5 ½ inch thicknesses.

The present patent application is based on and claims priority from U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/552,532 filed Mar. 12, 2004,the entire contents of which application are incorporated herein byreference thereto.

The present invention relates generally to a novel and unique wall plateanchor, and methods of using same.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a wall plate anchorto secure a frame wall bottom plate in place in preparation for raisingthe wall to be used in conjunction with a wall hoist.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Frequently in the construction trade when raising a wood or metal framewall, the wall moves out of position during the raising process. Thisresults in many necessary adjustments, and unnecessary time consumptionand additional unnecessary labor.

The prior, but not necessarily relevant, art is exemplified by thefollowing United States patents.

Roelofsz U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,944, entitled “LOW COST COLLAPSIBLEENCLOSURE”, issued Aug. 29, 1995.

Schillero, Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,407, entitled “METAL STUD HOLDINGDEVICE”, issued Feb. 29, 2000.

Timilty U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,467, entitled “WALL POSITIONING AND BRACINGAPPARATUS AND METHOD”, issued Oct. 30, 2001.

Fick U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,287, entitled “WALL HINGE”, issued Jan. 1,2002.

It is a desideratum of the present invention to avoid the animadversionsof the prior art devices and techniques, and to provide a novel andunique wall plate anchor and methods of using same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a wall plate anchor, comprising: aflexible elongated member having a first elongated portion extending ina first predetermined direction, and a second elongated portionextending in a second predetermined direction, which is disposedsubstantially perpendicular to said first predetermined direction; saidfirst elongated portion being provided with at least three aperturesarranged in a predetermined pattern; and said second elongated portionbeing provided with at least one aperture disposed at a predeterminedlocation relative to said apertures provided in said first elongatedportion of said flexible elongated member.

The present invention further provides a method of using a wall plateanchor to secure a wall bottom plate in place in preparation for raisinga wall relative to a floor, comprising the steps of: fastening a firstelongated portion of said wall plate anchor to said floor usingfastening members extending through at least two apertures provided insaid first elongated portion of said wall plate anchor; and fastening asecond elongated portion of said wall plate anchor to said wall bottomplate by using at least one fastener extending through an aperture insaid first elongated portion of said wall plate anchor, and by placingat least another fastener extending through an aperture provided in asecond elongated portion of said wall plate anchor.

The present invention provides a novel and unique wall plate anchor tosecure a wall bottom plate in place in preparation for raising the wall,and a novel method of using such wall plate anchor.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a wall plateanchor as described hereinabove, wherein such wall plate anchor maypreferably, but not necessarily, be used in conjunction with a wallhoist.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wall plateanchor as described hereinabove, wherein such wall plate anchorcomprises a simple strap with a single 90° bend therein, and holesformed or punched therethrough to accommodate the use of variousfastening elements, such as nails or screws.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such a novel andunique wall plate anchor as described hereinabove, which is fabricatedor cut to fit predetermined wall thicknesses, such as, for example, a 3½ inch or a 5 ½ inch wall thickness.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wall plateanchor strap as described hereinabove, wherein the anchor strap willattach the bottom wall plate to the floor or foundation sill plate, andhold the wall in correct position safely during the raising of the wall.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel andunique wall plate anchor as described hereinabove, wherein such wallplate anchor will work with wood or metal frame walls.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a novel andunique wall plate anchor as described hereinabove, wherein such wallplate anchor prevents the wall from moving out of position during theraising thereof.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a noveland unique wall plate anchor as described hereinabove and a method ofusing same, wherein such wall plate anchor is used on an elevatedfoundation above the floor elevation, and the anchor straps will holdthe bottom wall plate in position during the wall framing as well. Thisis common in garage construction where the wall often rests on anelevated foundation.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a novel andunique wall plate anchor as described hereinabove, wherein the wallplate anchor may preferably, but not necessarily, be fabricated fromflexible metal banding.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide such a noveland unique wall plate anchor as described hereinabove, wherein the holesin the wall plate anchor have a predetermined position to help preventthe wall from moving during the early stage of the lifting operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a novel andunique wall plate anchor as described hereinabove, wherein such wallplate anchor finds particular usage in installing the wall plate anchoron a stem wall, or an elevated foundation wall.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a novel andunique wall plate anchor as described hereinabove, wherein such wallplate anchor provides both the support for the frame wall at the properlevel to allow tilting up onto the stem wall, and a positive anchor toposition the frame wall accurately when in the raised position, and toprevent the frame wall from moving out of position during the process oftilting it up.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a novel andunique wall plate anchor and methods of using same which yields severalimportant benefits to the contractor or other construction person, suchas, for example, speed in set up, convenience in supporting the work,accuracy in placement, and safety during construction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a novel andunique wall plate anchor and methods of using same wherein the wallplate anchor will be completely covered by wall finishes under normalconditions, without additional time spent on removing such wall plateanchor.

Other objects, advantages, applications and features of the presentinvention will become more apparent to those persons skilled in thisparticular area of technology, and to other persons, after having beenexposed to the detailed description of the present invention as setforth hereinbelow when read in conjunction with accompanying patentdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a first preferred embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view, partly in section, showing the wall plateanchor of FIG. 1 in place before the wall is raised.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partly in section, showing the FIG. 2arrangement after the wall has been raised into place.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the wall plate anchor being used for anelevated floor arrangement.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the arrangementshown in FIG. 4 before the wall has been raised.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the FIG. 5arrangement, after the wall has been raised.

FIG. 7 shows an elevational view, partly in section, of an arrangementwhere the wood mud sill is wider than the wall plate anchor.

FIG. 8 shows the FIG. 7 arrangement, but wherein the wall has beenraised into final position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown the wall plate anchor 10 inaccordance with the present invention as affixed to a wall plate 11.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the wall plate anchor 10 is fabricatedfrom a flexible metal banding, and is sized for common wood wallthicknesses or common metal wall thicknesses.

The wall plate anchor 10 includes a first section or a bottom portion 12having predetermined and pre-positioned apertures 13, 14 and 15therethrough for accommodating various fasteners such as screws or nails16, 17 and 18.

The wall plate anchor 10 also includes a second section 20, which isinitially oriented substantially perpendicular to the first section 12,and said second section 20 includes at least one predetermined andpre-positioned aperture 21 therethrough for accommodating variousfastening members such as a nail or screw 22.

It should be noted that the second section 20 of the wall plate anchor10 has a hole 21 to permit a fastener 22 to be placed approximately ¾ ofan inch down from the top edge 23 of the wall plate 11.

It should be noted that two of the apertures 13 and 14 in the firstsection 12 of the wall plate anchor 10 permit fasteners 16 and 17 to beplaced into the floor 24, foundation or wood mud sill upon which thewall 25 is to be raised.

Preferably, but not necessarily, a preferred version of the wall plateanchor 10 has its first section 12 approximately 7″ long, and its secondsection 20 approximately 5 ½ inches long, and having a width ofapproximately 1″.

Preferably, but not necessarily, another preferred version of the wallplate anchor 10 has its first section 12 approximately 5″ long, itssecond section 20 approximately 3 ½ inches long, and its widthapproximately 1″. This is sized for common wood and metal wallthicknesses.

FIG. 2 shows the arrangement after the fasteners 16, 17, 18 and 22 havebeen placed through the wall plate anchor 10 into the foundation, floor24 or wood mud sill and into the wall plate member 11. FIG. 2 shows alsoa stud 26 of the wall 25 to be raised further down from the sectionshowing the wall plate anchor 10.

FIG. 3 shows the position after the wall 25 has been raised to show howthe wall plate anchor 10 has been bent into final position when the wall25 is upright.

FIGS. 4-8 show the arrangement of the components when the wall plateanchor 10 is used on an elevated foundation, such as in garageconstruction, where there is a wood mud sill 27 on top of a masonryfoundation 28 above the level of the floor 24.

FIGS. 4-6 show the arrangement of the components where the wall 25 to beraised is approximately the same width of the wood mud sill 27 uponwhich the wall 25 will be raised.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the arrangement when the wall plate anchor 10 is usedwith a foundation 29 and wood mud sill 30 which is wider than the wallplate anchor 10 in its final arrangement after the associated wall 25has been raised relative to the elevated foundation 29.

An important feature of the wall plate anchor 10 in accordance with thepresent invention is that no portion of the wall plate anchor 10 remainsin the room to interfere with finishes.

From the foregoing it can be seen that the novel and unique wall plateanchor 10 is used for securing a frame wall bottom plate 11 in place inpreparation for raising the wall 25.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the wall plate anchor 10 is used inconjunction with a wall hoist.

It should be noted that the wall plate anchor 10 comprises a simplemetal strap with a single 90° bend and predetermined and pre-positionedholes 13, 14, 15 and 21 provided for nails or screws 16, 17, 18 and 22.The wall plate anchor 10 may be fabricated or cut to fit a particularwall thickness, such as a 3 ½ or 5 ½ inch thick wall.

The wall plate anchor 10, its bottom section 12 attached to the floor 25or foundation sill plate 30, holds the wall 25 in the correct positionsafely during the raising of the wall 25.

The wall plate anchor 10 in accordance with the present invention willwork with wood or metal frame walls, and prevents the wall 25 frommoving out of position during raising.

When the wall plate anchor 10 in accordance with the present inventionis used on an elevated foundation 29 above the floor 24 elevation, thewall plate anchor 10 straps will hold the bottom wall plate 11 inposition during wall framing as well. This is an important feature. Thisis common in garage construction where the wall 25 often rests on anelevated foundation 29.

Although some preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed in detail hereinabove, all improvements, modifications andother foreseeable variations and applications are included in the scopeof the invention.

1. A wall plate anchor, comprising: a flexible elongated member having afirst elongated portion extending in a first predetermined direction,and a second elongated portion extending in a second predetermineddirection, which is disposed substantially perpendicular to said firstpredetermined direction; said first elongated portion being providedwith at least three apertures arranged in a predetermined pattern; andsaid second elongated portion being provided with at least one aperturedisposed at a predetermined location relative to said apertures providedin said first elongated portion of said flexible elongated member.
 2. Awall plate anchor according to claim 1, wherein: said flexible elongatedmember is adapted to be placed and affixed to a wall member of a wall bya first fastener extending through said one aperture provided in saidsecond elongated portion so that said first fastener extends in a thirdpredetermined direction into said wall member, and by a second fastenerextending through one of said three apertures provided in said firstelongated portion and extending into said wall member in a fourthpredetermined direction which is disposed substantially perpendicular tosaid third predetermined direction.
 3. A wall plate anchor according toclaim 1, wherein: said flexible elongated member is adapted to bedisposed relative to and affixed to a floor member by floor fasteningmembers which extend through two of said apertures provided in saidfirst elongated portion and into said floor member.
 4. A wall plateanchor according to claim 2, wherein: said flexible elongated member isadapted to be disposed relative to and affixed to a floor member byfloor fastening members which extend through two of said aperturesprovided in said first elongated portion and into said floor member. 5.A wall plate anchor according to claim 4, wherein: said second fasteningmember extends in a direction opposite to the direction in which saidfloor fastening members extend.
 6. A wall plate anchor according toclaim 4, wherein: said flexible elongated member is adapted to be bentinto a U-shaped configuration when said wall is raised to a verticalposition relative to said floor member.
 7. A wall plate anchor accordingto claim 5, wherein: said flexible elongated member is adapted to bebent into a U-shaped configuration when said wall is raised to avertical position relative to said floor member.
 8. A wall plate anchoraccording to claim 1, wherein: said apertures of said first elongatedportion and said aperture of said second elongated portion are arrangedand located so that fastening members can be placed through saidapertures to fit with and be used in conjunction with constructionlumber of standard dimensions.
 9. A wall plate anchor according to claim2, wherein: said apertures of said first elongated portion and saidaperture of said second elongated portion are arranged and located sothat fastening members can be placed through said apertures to fit withand be used in conjunction with construction lumber of standarddimensions.
 10. A wall plate anchor according to claim 3, wherein: saidapertures of said first elongated portion and said aperture of saidsecond elongated portion are arranged and located so that fasteningmembers can be placed through said apertures to fit with and be used inconjunction with construction lumber of standard dimensions.
 11. A wallplate anchor according to claim 4, wherein: said apertures of said firstelongated portion and said aperture of said second elongated portion arearranged and located so that fastening members can be placed throughsaid apertures to fit with and be used in conjunction with constructionlumber of standard dimensions.
 12. A wall plate anchor according toclaim 5, wherein: said apertures of said first elongated portion andsaid aperture of said second elongated portion are arranged and locatedso that fastening members can be placed through said apertures to fitwith and be used in conjunction with construction lumber of standarddimensions.
 13. A wall plate anchor according to claim 6, wherein: saidapertures of said first elongated portion and said aperture of saidsecond elongated portion are arranged and located so that fasteningmembers can be placed through said apertures to fit with and be used inconjunction with construction lumber of standard dimensions.
 14. A wallplate anchor according to claim 7, wherein: said apertures of said firstelongated portion and said aperture of said second elongated portion arearranged and located so that fastening members can be placed throughsaid apertures to fit with and be used in conjunction with constructionlumber of standard dimensions.
 15. A method of using a wall plate anchorto secure a wall bottom plate in place in preparation for raising a wallrelative to a floor, comprising the steps of: fastening a firstelongated portion of said wall plate anchor to said floor usingfastening members extending through at least two apertures provided insaid first elongated portion of said wall plate anchor; and fastening asecond elongated portion of said wall plate anchor to said wall bottomplate by using at least one fastener extending through an aperture insaid first elongated portion of said wall plate anchor, and by placingat least another fastener extending through an aperture provided in asecond elongated portion of said wall plate anchor.
 16. A methodaccording to claim 15, including the step of: pivoting said wallrelative to said floor until said wall is disposed substantiallyperpendicular to said floor, and said wall plate member is bent into aU-shaped configuration.
 17. A method according to claim 16, wherein:upon raising the wall to its vertical position relative to the floor, noportion of said wall plate anchor remains to interfere with internal orexternal finishing operations.
 18. The method according to claim 16,wherein: said wall plate anchor holds the wall in its proper positionrelative to the floor when said wall is pivoted to its vertical positionrelative to the floor.
 19. The method according to claim 17, wherein:said wall plate anchor holds the wall in its proper position relative tothe floor when said wall is pivoted to its vertical position relative tothe floor.
 20. The method according to claim 15, wherein: when said wallplate anchor is used on an elevated foundation above the floorelevation, said wall plate anchor serves to hold the bottom wall platein position during wall framing as well.